The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American bomber {{Battle-rating}}. This bomber has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. It has since been modified to be a PlayStation 4 exclusive vehicle obtained by buying a pack.

+

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American bomber {{Battle-rating}}. This bomber has been in the game since [[Update 1.31]]. It is exclusively available on PS4 and can be obtained by purchasing a special pack.

−

With speed, manoeuvrability and large hitting power, the A-26 should not be taken lightly. Although players may find the battle rating too high, this isn't the case- in fact, it may be about right. The plane has a cruise speed which all the piston engine bombers dream of and is currently unmatched in the game. Reaching a maximum speed of 568.8 kph the ''Invader'' is faster than the comparable Tu-2 by a significant 202 kph. This speed allows the A-26 to strike targets deep in enemy territory and early on better than any other aircraft (excluding the jet aircraft). It also has a 4,000 lb payload with a variety of load-out options, making it very versatile in its role, allowing it to attack many different targets with great efficiency. To add to this, it has 8 x Browning M2 .50 cal machine guns to attack soft targets and the unfortunate jet if you have the chance. Unlike the ''Mosquito'', the A-26 has defensive gunner turrets and decent ones at that. With two twin M2 machine gun remote turrets it allows for the very accurate and deadly fire.

+

With speed, maneuverability and large hitting power, the A-26 should not be taken lightly. Although players may find the battle rating too high, this isn't the case- in fact, it may be about right. The plane has a cruise speed which all the piston engine bombers dream of and is currently unmatched in the game. Reaching a maximum speed of 568.8 kph the ''Invader'' is faster than the comparable Tu-2 by a significant 202 kph. This speed allows the A-26 to strike targets deep in enemy territory and early on better than any other aircraft (excluding the jet aircraft). It also has a 4,000 lb payload with a variety of load-out options, making it very versatile in its role, allowing it to attack many different targets with great efficiency. To add to this, it has 8 x Browning M2 .50 cal machine guns to attack soft targets and the unfortunate jet if you have the chance. Unlike the ''Mosquito'', the A-26 has defensive gunner turrets and decent ones at that. With two twin M2 machine gun remote turrets it allows for the very accurate and deadly fire.

== General info ==

== General info ==

Line 285:

Line 285:

== Media ==

== Media ==

−

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

+

<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->

Description

The A-26C-45DT is a gift rank IV American bomber
with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB) and 5.7 (SB). This bomber has been in the game since Update 1.31. It is exclusively available on PS4 and can be obtained by purchasing a special pack.

With speed, maneuverability and large hitting power, the A-26 should not be taken lightly. Although players may find the battle rating too high, this isn't the case- in fact, it may be about right. The plane has a cruise speed which all the piston engine bombers dream of and is currently unmatched in the game. Reaching a maximum speed of 568.8 kph the Invader is faster than the comparable Tu-2 by a significant 202 kph. This speed allows the A-26 to strike targets deep in enemy territory and early on better than any other aircraft (excluding the jet aircraft). It also has a 4,000 lb payload with a variety of load-out options, making it very versatile in its role, allowing it to attack many different targets with great efficiency. To add to this, it has 8 x Browning M2 .50 cal machine guns to attack soft targets and the unfortunate jet if you have the chance. Unlike the Mosquito, the A-26 has defensive gunner turrets and decent ones at that. With two twin M2 machine gun remote turrets it allows for the very accurate and deadly fire.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics

Stock

Max Speed(km/h at 4,573 m)

Max altitude(meters)

Turn time(seconds)

Rate of climb(meters/second)

Take-off run(meters)

AB

RB

AB

RB

AB

RB

536

523

8,000

29.3

30.3

7.8

7.8

700

Upgraded

Max Speed(km/h at 4,573 m)

Max altitude (meters)

Turn time (seconds)

Rate of climb(meters/second)

Take-off run (meters)

AB

RB

AB

RB

AB

RB

607

569

8,000

27.0

28.0

19.7

11.4

700

Details

Features

Combat flap

Take-off flap

Landing flap

Air brakes

Arrestor gear

✓

✓

✓

X

X

Limits

Wing-break speed(km/h)

Gear limit(km/h)

Combat flap (km/h)

Max Static G

+

-

718

257

420

~4

~3

Optimal velocities

Ailerons(km/h)

Rudder(km/h)

Elevators(km/h)

Radiator(km/h)

< 392

< 375

< 480

> 280

Compressor (RB/SB)

Setting 1

Optimal altitude

100% Engine power

WEP Engine power

457 m

4,000 hp

4,740 hp

Setting 2

Optimal altitude

100% Engine power

WEP Engine power

3,114 m

3,200 hp

3,792 hp

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Usage in battles

Use the A-26 to deliver fast tactic based strikes. In the first minutes of the game plan your route and decide on your key targets, the basics you want to include are:

Focus on large amounts of Heavy/ medium targets

Stay away from the main dogfights

Follow paths that don't cross the normal enemy climb routes

Utilize terrain as cover where ever possible

The best targets to choose are the "heavy" or "medium" targets at the far sides of the map or away from the main routes taken by the enemy. This is because they have a distinctive effect on the battle but also give large rewards post-game allowing for quick research/ progression with the advantage of you being to strike more targets before the fighters arrive. On your approach you want to the air spawn to gain speed in a dive then stay low. By staying low you take advantage of the spotting system at you become harder to spot and gain a marker (because if you do, your 60% dead). It also allows you to be masked by the terrain.

The payloads allow for attacks against many targets with great efficiency. Each bomb load has it's preferred target type to create the most damage which is noted as follows:

4 x 1,000 lb- Best for anti-shipping, specifically cruisers and battleships (Carriers are too armoured* and destroyers or Cargo ships would be overkill)

2 x 2,000 lb- Best for carriers and bombing points.

The stock payload is 20 x 100 lb bombs. To make use of these, drop 2-3 bombs at a time on a medium armoured target however move onto the higher payloads when possible. A tip for bombing in the A-26 is to release half a second before the crosshairs move over the target. This is to compensate for the bomb doors opening then the bombs being released. However, you can also use these to hit soft targets if you so want to.

Carriers can be knocked out however accuracy is needed. Firstly take note of there the island is (the tower) while from a safe distance. Then maneuver in to a path that will be adjacent to the carrier and with the island facing you. Release two 1,000 lb bombs into the island and it should kill the carrier.

History

Douglas A-26C-45-DT Invader is a twin-engine medium bomber/ground-attack aircraft. An all-metal monoplane with a retractable landing gear system including a nose wheel. The crew consisted of three people. The plane was designed in the design bureau of Douglas Aircraft Company under the direction of Edward Heinemann and Robert Donovan. The ХА-26 prototype made its first flight on July 10, 1942. Mass production began in September 1943.

The А-26С variant was a medium bomber with a glazed navigator's cockpit in the nose section. The navigator's cockpit had a Norden M-9 bombsight for medium-altitude precision bombing.

The А-26 was criticized by its operational pilots for poor visibility from the pilot's cockpit, and so, beginning with the А-26C-30-DT series, it obtained a new pilot's cockpit canopy.

Beginning with the А-26C-45-DT series, the aircraft had Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 engines with a methanol-water injection system, six wing-mounted 12.7 mm Colt-Browning ANM2.5 machine guns, and enlarged fuel tanks. Also, the plane could have unguided rockets suspended under its wings.

The А-26's first combat mission took place in May 1944 over New Guinea. In September 1944, the aircraft entered service with the USAAF units in Great Britain, and in January 1945, in Italy. Beginning in July 1945, А-26 aircraft were used in action in China and on the Japanese Ryukyu Islands.

Europe became the main theatre of war for the А-26. With a flight speed comparable to that of the German interceptors and with its strong defensive armament, the А-26 could operate without any fighter cover. Its powerful engines and good wing flap system made it exceptionally manoeuvrable. The А-26 Invader was certainly the most advanced bomber in its class by the end of the war.

A total of 1,091 A-26C bombers were factory-built, including five in Long Beach, California, and 1,086 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. All of the aircraft that rolled off the production line at Long Beach had the code DL, while the machines made at Tulsa were designated DT.

Media

The Shooting Range #83 - Pages of History section at 10:27 discusses the Douglas A-26 Invader.